Kathleen Mary Rooney

ROONEY, Kathleen Mary, 88, resident of Hillsdale, NJ for 57 years passed peacefully on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, with her children at her side. She was born in Meenleitrim, County Kerry, Ireland to her parents, Charles and Sarah Curtin. Predeceased by the love of her life, husband Thomas, and her darling daughter, Bridget Mary. Devoted and loving mother of John and his wife, Joanne; Sarah and her husband, Robert; and Theresa and her husband, Patrick. Proud and doting grandmother of Matthew, Michael, Bridget, Brian, Sheena, Declan, Thomas, Fintan, Aidan and Ciaran. Dear sister of Charles and Thomas and wonderful aunt to many nieces and nephews, both here and abroad. She is predeceased by sisters, Tessie and Sarah; and brothers, Denis and Daniel.

Kathleen was a long-standing parishioner of St. John the Baptist Church in Hillsdale where she was a member of the Rosary Society, a Bingo worker, and daily resident of “the back pew”. She was also one of the key contributors to the fundraising mission of building a new church in the late 1960s. Kathleen was a proud St. John’s Academy mother and grandmother where her four children and eight grandchildren attended, volunteering at countless functions. She was a loyal member of the Bergen Irish Association and filled several tables of patrons for many dances over the years.

Kathleen was a wonderful and compassionate listener and advocate for those facing challenging times. Her prayer list was endless. Whether an expectant mother, a person facing illness or surgery, or someone suffering the loss of a loved one, a child in particular, Kathleen could be counted on to lend an ear, send a note, say a prayer and be present for that person. Her faith, love of family, devotion to friends, ceaseless smile, never ending generosity and strength is the legacy she leaves to her children and grandchildren.

The family will receive family and friends at Becker Funeral Home, Westwood, NJ on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, 4-8pm. Kathleen’s funeral mass will be celebrated at St. John the Baptist Church, Hillsdale, NJ on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at 10:30am. Interment will follow at Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah, NJ. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made in Kathleen’s name to St. John’s Academy, 460 Hillsdale Avenue, Hillsdale, NJ 07642.

Funeral Mass is live-streamed at https://www.njstreaming.com/rooney on Wednesday June 2, 2021 at 10:30AM